Outlook: Two-time All-Metro G Stephanie Rohe has graduated, but the Sharpshooters return their four other starters and should again be among the top Catholic League teams. Marion expects balanced attack and said she has been stressing unity and teamwork. Belz, Mercy's leading returning scorer (11.3) and top rebounder (7.9), is strong inside. Junior F Christina Williamson (5-8), who averaged 4.4 points, moves into the starting five.

Mervo Mustangs

0 1991-92 record: 2-12. Coach: Nancy Havranek.

Top player: Alexis Washington, 5-6, Fr., G.

Outlook: Having lost all five starters and carrying all freshmen and sophomores on the team, the Mustangs may have trouble even matching last season's victory total. "I hope we can just keep ourselves together and be encouraged, not discouraged," Havranek said.

Outlook: First-year coach Bonner said he likes his team's work habits and believes it can have a winning season. Mount Carmel, an independent, will play other independents, as well as Catholic League and AIS schools. Three starters return -- Kozarski, Reed and Tyler.

Outlook: Smith takes over a young team that hasn't won in two years. Robinson is the only returner. McCullough, Northern's only starting senior, is a transfer from Forest Park. Smith hopes to make the Vikings competitive by January.

Outlook: Brown returns for her 11th season after a one-year layoff because of cuts in the physical education budget. A bTC guard-loaded team, the Wildcats will need Lankford to mature quickly. Yesterday and Today Butler will provide experience in the backcourt.

Outlook: The Clippers may not be capable of challenging Western and Lake Clifton in the City-Wide 4A Division, but they could equal or surpass last season's victory total. Two starters return: Owsianny, Patterson's leading scorer (16.0 ppg), and Wilkes, who led the Clippers in rebounds (15.0). Maki said Wilkes (8.0 ppg) could become dominating.

Outlook: The Engineers will miss the offense of second-team All-Metro center LaToya Moore, who graduated, but they will be quicker, and Sawyer expects them to play better defense. Vann (10.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and Brice (10.0 ppg, 5.0 apg) are the only returning starters. Sawyer is looking for Holman to be an inside-outside threat. Poly has just one senior.

Outlook: Kridel says her team can be in every game. Though the Reds have no seniors, Kridel said she has several three-year players who are beginning to play with confidence. The Reds return four starters, but have to overcome the loss of last season's leading scorer, Melissa Bristow, who graduated. McCallister scored 8.0 ppg and is strong inside.

Outlook: The Panthers, 2-12 in the Catholic League last year, could challenge the league's top teams. Chambers (18.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is one of the area's top players, and her supporting cast is better this season. Webb, a transfer from IND, is expected to take some of the scoring and rebounding load.